The government has announced significant reforms to adult apprenticeships, removing the requirement for English and maths functional skills exams and reducing the minimum duration from 12 to 8 months starting next academic year. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson revealed these changes during National Apprenticeship Week, aiming to increase apprenticeship completions by 10,000 annually.
Key Changes:
- Functional Skills Exams: Adults no longer need to pass level 2 functional skills to complete their apprenticeship, effective immediately and can be applied to existing apprenticeships. This change does not apply to 16-18-year-olds.
- Apprenticeship Duration: The minimum duration has been reduced to 8 months from August 2025. There will also be three “trailblazer apprenticeships” in key shortage occupations including green energy, healthcare, and film/TV production pioneering this approach.
The Impact:
- The reforms are expected to make apprenticeships more accessible and attractive, particularly in high-demand sectors like healthcare and construction.
- Employers and providers have until April 1, 2025, to update training plans for current apprentices.
These reforms aim to balance speed and quality, addressing business needs, filling the skills gap and supporting economic growth.
Interested in applying for an apprenticeship or upskilling your workforce? Contact the Northern Skills team today!
